Guadalupe Peak: The Highest Summit in Texas

Located in western Texas's Guadalupe Mountains National Park, reaching the highest point in Texas is no small feat. The trail ascends 3,000 feet (900m) over 4.2 miles (6.8 km), making for a strenuous hike with little shade. But reaching the summit rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views and the claim that you've stood at the very top of Texas!

Trail Info

Trailhead Name	Guadalupe Peak Trail
Distance	8.4 miles / 13.5 km (out and back)
Estimated time	4-8 hours
Elevation gain	3,000 ft / 900 m
Highest point	8,751 ft / 2,667 m (Guadalupe Peak)
Permits / fees	National Park fee
Parking	Paved lot
Toilets?	Yes
Dog friendly?	No (prohibited)

Know before you go

Altitude can be a factor on this hike, especially for those coming from lower elevations. If you feel fatigued or lightheaded, slow your pace, take more breaks, and hydrate office to help you summit.
This area is prone to inclement weather, both high wind and thunderstorms. Afternoon thunderstorms are the greater risk as standing on an exposed summit is dangerous. Start early, watch the sky, and don't hesitate to bail if conditions turn poor.

Other trails nearby

Hunter's peak

Distance: 8.7 miles (14 km)

Elevation gain: 2,700 ft (820 m)

Details: Similarly strenuous leaves from the same trailhead leading to the 6th highest peak in Texas (8,368 ft / 2,551m). This hike offers a quieter alternative while still delivering stunning park views.

Devil's Hall

Details: 4.2 miles (6.8 km)

Elevation gain: 550 ft (180 gain

Details: Shorter but rugged hike from same trailhead leading to unique rock formations. The route includes some tricky rock scrambling, making it fun but challenging for hikers comfortable with uneven terrain.

The Trail

The hike begins just beyond the Pine Springs / Guadalupe Peak trailhead. With multiple trails leaving from the area, follow the well-marked signs to ensure you're on the right path.

Shortly after the first fork, you'll reach a four-way junction. Continue straight ahead—other than a brief reintersection with the horse trail, this is the only path to the summit.

From here, prepare to climb. The trail doesn’t have any true flat sections, but the steepest portion is early on before it moderates slightly. The final stretch, however, demands another steep push to the summit.

Turning back, you'll get to witness a stunning sunrise if you started early.

The trail is overall rocky but stable. While not overly loose, footing can be uneven, and there are a few narrower sections with drop-offs. None of them feel overly exposed, so most shouldn't have too much trouble.

About 3 miles in, you'll reach the Guadalupe Peak Campground, located around 8,000 feet (2,438m). This backcountry campsite has a few flat spots for tents and looks like an incredible place to watch sunset or sunrise, and a great starting point for a very short summit hike.

As you near the top, the trail ramps up in difficulty. The steeper sections and uneven terrain require more effort and focus.

The most technical portion of the hike comes just before the summit—a short Class 2 scramble (occasional use of hands required). If the rock is wet, this section could be trickier, but in dry conditions, it’s very manageable.

And we made it! I love when a summit has a very obvious marker. This summit marker is interesting--it was erected by American Airlines in 1958 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail, a transcontinental stagecoach route that passed south of the mountain. The American Airlines logo is located on one of the pyramids sides. It's an interesting intersection of Corporate America, history, and nature all in one.

Now for the summit montage. Here's a shot looking west.

And now looking northeast. That prominent peak to the right is Hunter's Peak. We'll save that one for tomorrow.

And now looking south. I was amazed by the rolling plains and flatlands which were a stark contrast in landscape to those in the other direction.

And one final summit shot for good measure. Happy to say that I've now been to the top of Texas!

SS Reflections

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but now that I live in Colorado, home to numerous 14,000+ foot peaks, Texas' tallest mountain might not be the biggest. But what Texas lacks in peak height, it more than makes up for in expansive, diverse beauty.

Standing atop Guadalupe Peak, you get an incredible sense of vastness—a landscape that stretches endlessly into the distance, a mix of flatlands, rolling hills, and rugged mountains. It’s a view that reminds you that adventure exists everywhere—whether at sea level or 8,751 feet high.

Other helpful resources

The official NPS page with details about this hike